Home treatments

If you suffer from varicose veins there are a number of simple and accessible complementary treatments that may be beneficial for accompanying regular medical treatment.

+ Varicose veins are a sign of a circulatory problem: the blood is stuck in the veins and is not flowing back to the heart properly. This is especially the case for varicose veins in the legs. They can cause pain, tiredness and lack of energy. A simple method to help soothe and prevent varicose veins is to make use of gravity by lifting up your legs. Lie down on a makeshift ottoman by placing two or three pillows on your coach and putting your feet up above hip level. This is recommended whenever your legs are sore and/or tired.

TREATMENT AGAINST TINGLING

To avoid or treat a tingling sensation produced by varicose veins, especially when it's hot, try to keep your legs and skin cool and hydrated. When you feel tingling or warmth, rinse the area with cool water and then gently massage using a blend off camphor, mint or menthol: dilute a few drops of camphor and mint or menthol oils in almond oil.

Camphor stimulates the skin and acts as an astringent diuretic that stimulates blood circulation. Mint and menthol help to cool the skin down, and have lasting effects. Massaging with these oils added to a base oil not only helps to improve blood circulation to the skin, but also helps to keep the skin hydrated for a quick relief. With continued use, the feeling of heavy, tired legs may lessen.

To increase the oil's cooling effect, keep the oil and other creams in the refrigerator.

MODERATE MOVEMENT

If you have varicose veins, it's important to try and stay off your feet (standing is the worst position for this condition). Try to avoid sitting for hours as well. The best position for your body is to be in moderate motion (without high impact). For example if you are traveling in a car or plane:

1. • Wrap an elastic cloth around the lower part of your legs (from the toes to the knees).
2. • If you are traveling by car, make regular stops to walk around and activate the circulation.
3. • If you are traveling by plane, walk around in the aisle. Try not to sit for too long.

BATHS AND RUBS

These treatments have decongestive effects and are most efficient before going to bed.

Witch hazel

Fill up a tub or bucket with water and soak the legs up to your knees. You can add a witch hazel infusion (1 tablespoon every 4 cups of water). Soak your legs for 15 minutes. Next vigorously dry your legs with a cotton towel.

Grapevine leaves

Boil a cup of grapevine leaves in 4 cups of water for 15 minutes. Next, soak your feet in a bath with alternate temperatures.

1. • For the first 5 to 10 minutes; soak your feet in a bucket with a hot infusion of grapevines leaves. Continue with another bucket filled with cold water for 10 seconds.
2. • Change temperatures 3 or 4 times, always starting with hot water and ending with cold water.
3. • Afterward, massage your legs in an upward direction. Finish by resting with your legs elevated.

Massages with garlic and lemon mixture

1. • Cut 6 cloves of garlic in slices and place in a clean jar. Next add the juice of 2 or 3 lemons.
2. • Add 2 tablespoons of extra virgin oil (its best to use olive or fruit oils) and let sit for 12 hours.
3. • Before using shake well.
4. • Put a few drops of the oil on your fingertips and gently massage the sore area, using upward circular motions.
5. • When you finish the massage (after approximately 15 minutes) cover the area with a long cotton sock.
6. • Repeat each night at the end of your day.

COMPRESSES AND BANDAGES

Compresses consist of using a cotton or linen cloth (never synthetic fibers) folded several times, soaked in water and wrapped around the affected area. To treat varicose veins, you should use cold water. You shouldn't apply the compress directly on the skin, first place a thin cloth on the skin to protect it. You can also use another cloth to wrap around the compress to keep it in place. The following are a few compresses that are useful against problems related to varicose veins.

Lemon

Mix 4 cups of mineral water with 1 teaspoon of fine salt and the juice of 2 lemons. Keep this lotion in the refrigerator and apply as a compress on the varicose area once daily. After elevate your feet for ½ an hour. A variant of this treatment is using vinegar mixed with cold water in equal parts. Apply at night before going to bed.

Parsley

To relieve swollen ankles prepare an infusion with this herb, filtering and then cooling it in the refrigerator. Apply as a compress on the affected area and leave to sit for 20 minutes, keeping the legs raised above hip level.

Marigold

Place 1 cup of marigold flowers in 4 cups of water and allow to boil for 5 minutes. Soak gauze with this infusion and apply to the affected area.

Apple cider vinegar

For heavy, tired legs prepare a mixture of 2 cups of water with 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Apply this lotion to the legs and then gently wrap them (without squeezing) with elastic gauze. Put up your feet for 20 minutes. Next, take the bandage off.

Camomile and rose flower

Mix in equal parts camomile and rose flowers using 1 tablespoon of each in 1 cup of boiling water; let steep for 10 minutes. Soak a small bandage with this preparation and apply it to the affected area.

SPECIAL COMPRESS POULTICES

Cataplasms are special paste preparations that are applied with a linen cloth or directly on the skin. You can use a number of different earth elements such as clay or volcanic mud, medicinal plants (cabbage leaves, mustard seed) or other animal products (bees wax).

Clay with onion juice

1. • Mix medicinal clay with juice extracted from raw onions.
2. • Apply at night as a cataplasm directly on the skin.
3. • Cover with a tight fabric or linen cloth.
4. • Leave on all night as you sleep.
5. • In the morning remove the cataplasm and clean the skin, rubbing with ½ lemon. You should rub firmly upward but gently downward.

Mustard cataplasms

This treatment helps to stimulate circulation. Mix 3 oz/90 g of ground mustard seeds mixed with hot water to form a thick paste. Spread over a piece of fabric. This treatment shouldn't be applied directly on the skin your are treating. First place a wet gauze on your skin to avoid the paste sticking to it. Then apply the cataplasm and take off some minutes afterward. To relieve reddening we recommend applying olive oil to the skin.

Cabbage

Cabbage has anti-inflammatory properties. To avoid tired, heavy legs cover them with cabbage leaves soaked in water. You should use a cotton fabric. Leave to act for ½ hour.

Oatmeal and yogurt

To clear up blue marks on the legs, prepare a paste with the following ingredients: 1 tablespoon of oatmeal flour, 1 tablespoon of yogurt and 1 tablespoon of wheat germ oil. Mix all the ingredients together and apply on the discolored area. Leave on for 20 minutes and rinse off with water. You should repeat up to 3 times a day.

Cacao butter and wheat germ oil

Mix in equal parts these two fatty elements and apply to the affected area. Leave on for ½ hour and then rinse off with tepid water.